Stalking

Stalking is any person who engages in a "course of conduct" directed at a specific person which places that person, or their family, in reasonable fear for their safety, or causes the person serious emotional distress.

Many people have a difficult time using the term "stalking", but they describe stalking behaviors including:

SURVEILLANCE

Following, showing up, spying, using technology to keep tabs on the victim.

LIFE INVASION

Repeated unwanted contact in person or by phone, text, email, card/note, message, third party, and social media.

INTIMIDATION

Implicit, explicit and third party threats, forced confrontations, property damage, and threatened suicide.

INTERFERENCE

Disruption of the victim's life professionally and socially as well as physical and sexual attacks.

"Course of conduct" = a series of 2 or more acts carried out over time, however short or long, that show a continuity of purpose, including any of the following:

1) Maintaining a visual or physical proximity to the victim.

2) Approaching or confronting the victim.

3) Appearing at the victim's workplace or contacting the victim's employer or coworkers.

4) Appearing at the victim's home or contacting the victim's neighbors.

5) Entering property owned, leased, or occupied by the victim.

6) Contacting the victim by telephone or causing the victim's telephone or any other person's telephone to ring repeatedly or continuously, regardless of whether a conversation ensues.

6m) Photographing, videotaping, audiotaping, or, through any other electronic means, monitoring or recording the activities of the victim. This subdivision applies regardless of where the act occurs.

7) Sending material by any means to the victim or, for the purpose of obtaining information about, disseminating information about, or communicating with the victim, to a member of the victim's family or household or an employer, coworker, or friend of the victim.

8) Placing an object on or delivering an object to property owned, leased, or occupied by the victim.

9) Delivering an object to a member of the victim's family or household or an employer, coworker, or friend of the victim or placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased, or occupied by such a person with the intent that the object be delivered to the victim.

10) Causing a person to engage in any of the acts described in parts 1-9.

Many victims struggle with how to respond to the stalker. Some try to reason with them, try to "let them down easy" or "be nice" in hopes of getting the stalker to stop the behavior. Some tell themselves that the behavior "isn't that bad" or other sentiments that minimize the stalking behavior. Others may confront or threaten the stalker and/or try to "fight back." These methods rarely work because stalkers are actually encouraged by any contact with the victim, even negative interactions.

If you are being stalked you may feel:

Fear of what the stalker will do.

Vulnerable, unsafe, and not know who to trust.

Anxious, irritable, impatient, or on edge.

Depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, tearful, or angry.

Stressed, including having trouble concentrating, sleeping, or remembering things.

Have eating problems, such as appetite loss, forgetting to eat, or overeating.

Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories.

Confused, frustrated, or isolated because other people don't understand why you are afraid.

If you are being stalked...click here to learn more about how you can work on staying safe.